Photo Friday – Sweet Blackberry

Welcome to another edition of Photo Friday! The last few days around these parts have been difficult, which makes this post a bit of a downer, and I apologize for that in advance.

On Sunday we noticed that our sweet Blackberry kitty was looking awful thin. She’s always been small – bordering on tiny – and she was always more fluff than substance – so it was difficult to tell that she was in distress. She has never been overly affectionate…generally coming out to let us know that her water bowl was empty or to hide in a box or to sit on the scale.

Sunday was different, though. She sat at the water bowl and wouldn’t stop crying, so Sweet Husband picked her up and noticed that he could feel all the bones in her spine. When I say that she has always been tiny, I don’t believe that she’s ever weighed more than 5 pounds.

She was abandoned on my grandmother’s front porch when she was just a week or so old. her litter mates died, and she was left with a terrible injection that took a year of antibiotics to clear up. I finally told the vet that I couldn’t afford to keep coming to see them every couple of weeks…wasn’t there something they could do? And the vet said yes but they had hesitated because the antibiotics were so powerful that it would damage her growth plates – leaving her a small cat. That final round of medicine did the trick, but all of the infection left her blind in one eye. In my estimation, the infection made its way to her little brain too because she was never quite right. Several years later, she suffered an ear infection that ruptured an ear drum…so she was my half-blind, half-deaf, all stupid kitteh.

Blackberry came home with me in August of 2002. She used to be my ever-faithful and accurate alarm clock. My house in Reno had a jack-and-jill bathroom and a vanity between the master bedroom and the bathroom. In the mornings, she would do laps – hopping off the bed, racing trough the vanity, into the bathroom and through the shower, out into the hallway and back around into the bedroom and up on the bed to make the lap again. She would do that until I got up and got in the shower…where she joined me, splashing around, trying to “catch” my toes and the water as it ran down the drain.

She moved from Reno to Hattiesburg to Louisville to Hattiesburg to the Coast with me – never quite happy about it but going with the flow. When SH, his brother, and best friend came to Louisville to help me move home, she was “lost” and the boys were panicked about what I would do if she wasn’t found. She turned up in an empty cabinet space…in the corner, underneath the cabinets.

She used to be my girl but like the dog, she became SH’s kitty, which I suppose is OK…he’s a cat kinda guy. Over the last few days of the B’erd’s life, she spent a whole lot of time on his chest, getting snuggles and kisses and loves.

One of the hardest things about being a pet owner is the letting go. They will always leave us too soon; we will never be ready to let them go. Even though I had Blackberry almost 14 years, it wasn’t long enough. And in trying to prepare myself to let her go, I waited too long. We meant to take her to the vet, to allow them to do their thing, but as we were moving towards the truck, it became apparent she wasn’t going to last long enough for the ride.

So we sat under the gazebo and held her until she was gone. I’m not an overly emotional person – I hold things close to the vest. Letting Blackberry go was extremely difficult – harder than when my Peach cat passed a couple of years ago. I don’t know if it’s because Blackberry was the first one that was just mine or because I fought so hard that first year. Regardless, my kitten is gone, and it breaks my heart.

We are now a family of four, and I don’t think we will ever have another cat. As much as I loved Blackberry, I didn’t love cleaning a liter box, and SH won’t, as much as he loves cats. She will be our last. She had a good life with us, and I suppose in the end, that’s all we can ask for – a good life, surrounded by all those that we love.

If I could impose – one of my best friends in the world is in the hospital tonight. She and her family have been through the wringer. Her husband suffered a diving accident and is paralyzed from the chest down, although he is living a very active life, determined to live his life to the fullest. While he was recovering, dear Amber was diagnosed with breast cancer. She’s been in remission for several years. However, this morning, apparently an ear infection spread to her brain. Originally they thought she’d had a stroke, but further tests revealed the stroke-like symptoms are the infection. It was so bad that the pressure caused a fracture in her skull. At 5:30 Thursday evening, she was in surgery, hoping to drain some of the fluid on her brain, relieve some of the pressure, and hopefully clear out some of the infection. Both she and her husband are some of the kindest, best people in the world – would give you the shirt of their backs. If you could spare a moment to send a thought Amber’s way – to pray if that’s what you do – I’d appreciate it. She means so very much to me…even if she is thousands of miles away.

It’s time for another Photo Friday link-up! I’m so glad that y’all are here and that you support each other so beautifully. Isay it all the time, but the thing I love most about our link up is the community that has been created. Y’all are amazing!

I just said a quick prayer for you and your friends. Losing a family member is never easy; losing the four-legged ones is just as hard as losing the two-legged ones, if not harder.

Great job with the close-up shots. I’ve had a black dog and I have another little black dog back in Canada, and getting good pictures of their faces is so hard.Becky recently posted…Photo Friday – Japanese Bridal Kimonos

I am so sorry to hear about Blackberry and your best friend. My dad had a cat named blackberry and he just disappeared one day.

My kitten now just made it to 5 llbs but she too will always be little-just becuase she is meant to be little. I know I was heartbroken when my Max died and I still miss him. I often wonder how he would be with Skittles now.

Although its hard to let our beloved pets go….it really is a great kindness to not let them suffer further. You gave her a great name….Blackberry….suited her too. XXXXXCath recently posted…Friday Favourites (19)

Oh man! Such tough stuff! I’m so sorry for your loss of Blackberry and I will pray right now for your friends who are going through so much. 🙁Christina Morley recently posted…Pray for Rain and a #LinkyParty

Thank you Tina! The loss of the kitty has been hard, but not knowing what was going on with my friend has been terrible. Today I got word that Amber is awake and passed her breathing tests so the vent was removed. There is much work to be done, but all Amber and her husband need are a shadow of a chance – they’ll do the rest. 😉

It’s so sad to loose a furry friend. Unfortunately we will experience it often as animal lovers caring for pets. Good to think of the great times we had together and if possible, not too much of the loss.Grey World Nomads recently posted…Wolly Fun In The Mud

Hi Jen,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet cat and for the suffering of your friend. I’m praying for her and her family today. We lost two cats last year and thought we would never get another one – for the same reason you mentioned. Winter without a cat was tough though – they’re so blissfully lazy in the winter and they really brighten up the household. We gave in a few weeks ago and brought home a kitten, and I’m so glad that we did.

Thank you Tara! I think that we are considering an outdoor kitteh…but I don’t imagine it will be for awhile. I was never a cat person – I became one by default (a cat was the only pet an ex boyfriend would let me have and since I’d always grown up with pets, I was desperate). I’ve loved three fiercely in the last 20+ years, and our doggies are aging. I think for awhile we will concentrate on them 😉

Amber is healing, and for that I’m grateful.

I haven’t been able to give Photo Friday the attention it deserves the last few months, but I’m hopeful that with my coming spring break, I can get back on track. I love y’all dearly & have missed not being as active 😉

Your kitty looks just like a black one that we pad. He was also bones and fur and on the small side. We parted with him when we downsized to travel but found him a perfect home.
I understand your pain on losing her.
I will keep your friends in my thoughts.

Thank you Jackie. They are just animals, but dang do they mean so much. And our friends – I don’t know what I would do without them. They are better this week although there is a very long recovery ahead of them.

Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss. Having been there more times than I would like to admit and still more to come, I totally understand. While we still have 2 cats & 3 dogs, I understand your thoughts about the litter box. and the hair. I sometimes find myself looking forward to the days when there are no animals left in the house…still, the anticipation of what that means brings sadness.Mitzi recently posted…My Week in Review v-3

Thank you Mitzi. I can’t imagine us without dogs, even though our lab sheds like mad and the bulldogge leaves everything coated in drool. I’ve always been a dog person; the cats wormed their way in lol.

It’s so sad when our pets leave us, they become a part of the family and it’s bittersweet to look back at old photos of them when you can’t snuggle with them anymore, so I understand the heartbreak Jen and what a gorgeous cat she was too. I love the way you captured the light in these and there’s a real warmth to them. I’m so sorry to hear about your friends too – I am sending out positive prayers into the world in hopes they reach them. Life can be hard sometimes. Hoping you’re OK <3 – TashaNatasha recently posted…Reflecting

You are the sweetest, Tasha. Blackberry was an odd kitty, but she was ours and was loved very much. Your positive prayers did reach Amber. She has come through surgery and today was taken off the vent and brought out of sedation. Recovery is going to be difficult but she and Nate are (un)fortunately well-equipped to handle it.

I’m sorry for the loss of sweet Blackberry. I’ve been through the loss of a cat before and it is so sad, but I also did not want another cat for the exact same reasons. Your friend is in my thoughts. That’s an awful lot for one family to undergo. I’m so sorry.Karen recently posted…Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple

Thank you Karen. I think we are good as a dog family for awhile…or perhaps an outdoor cat family. Amber is doing better – awake and moving. For that I’m extremely thankful. She and Nate are very dear to me, and I’m not ready for either of them to leave me 😉

Oh Jen i send you all my love and friendship to you and your friends. I hope the doctors are taking care of her very well. Hope everything end ok.
About the blck animal photography. Don’t you think it’s very difficult? I’m really struggling to get a good portrait of Little Vader.
xx
cathyperegrinationgourmande recently posted…Arts in Melbourne

The doctors are taking excellent care of her, Cathy! She was weaned off the sedation today and because she passed the breathing tests, they removed the ventilator as well. All good news! She sat and stood for a few minutes so they are hopeful. Thank you for your thoughts 😉

As for the black animals – yes! They are so difficult to capture. With these, I was able to play with the contrast and exposure a little bit to bring out her details a little more, but then again, she had a great deal of brown in her fur so that worked. I really struggle with capturing our black lab 🙁

Thank you Mary. I got word this evening that Amer was weaned off of sedation today and she passed the breathing tests so the vent was removed. She sat up and stood today. There is a long road ahead of her, but she’s starting that journey.

Oh yes, letting go of a beloved pet is always tough. And your friends’ hardship… makes me almost feel bad that I am linking underwater photos… Accidents do happen, they suck! I know all too well from own experience thankfully not as bad, but – I am not the praying kind, but I will sure be thinking of you and your friends, Jen.Claudia recently posted…Bonaire Underwater

Thank you Claudia. Amber is recovering. They brought her out of sedation today and took her off the vent…she sat up and stood up. I am not quite sure why this particular family has suffered so much but they greet each challenge with grace and confidence, as a chance to be better.

So many prayers and good thoughts headed your way and to your friends. We had to say goodbye to our 15 year old cat last October – barely making it to the vet in time. I agree, it is hard to let go. We had been watching for weeks as things were different, but, overall, she was still behaving pretty normally and I was struggling with saying goodbye.

Lifting your friends in prayer. Can not begin to imagine the tough road they’ve been down and currently travel. May healing and good health be in the days ahead for Amber.Sarah @ 2paws Designs recently posted…Project 52 Photos: Week 10 – Yates Mill Pond

Thank you Sarah. We didn’t notice that there was anything different until it was too late and that pains me greatly…that we should have known. Our vet, though, said that sometimes with kidney failure, it happens quickly – within a matter of days – so there may well have not been anything to know or see. *sigh* It is still hard to think that she suffered.

Amber is recovering. They did surgery last Thursday and today they brought her out of sedation and took her off the ventilator. She has a very long road to recovery, but if any family is equipped and prepared to face adversity, it is the Gratzs.

Oh Jen, I am late to Photo friday and I am so saddened by your post. Sorry that your dear kitty has gone. You had a lotta loving invested in the dear little cat. I cannot fathom why some people get so sick and I am sending all good vibes over the oceans to your friend. I hope the week ahead is better. Denyse xDenyse Whelan Blogs recently posted…My Recent ‘Ah Ha’ Moment. 366/74.

Thank you Denyse. This week hasn’t been too bad. Amber has been through surgery and as of today, they took her off the ventilator and made her stand up. She still has a very long road to travel, but there is hope. 😉

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[…] following along, you know that our family lost a member last month. After 14 long years, my darling Blackberry kitteh passed away. Her passing has gotten me to thinking even more about my sweet Cobbler dog. She turned […]

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I'm a teacher, writer, and photographer capturing the magical moments of life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast - putting my experience as a teacher and educational staff developer to work crafting stories that chronicle an experience well-lived.

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All content - pictures and text - unless otherwise noted, is my creation. All content on this site is the property of Jennifer Allen - Owner & Creator of Pierced Wonderings. Duplication and/or unauthorized use of any content on this site without express written permission is strictly prohibited.